Words Have Power

Words are powerful. They can either build up or tear down.

God used words to speak this world into existence. What more evidence do we need than that to show us the power of words?

Genesis 1

And God SAID, Let there be light: and there was light. v.3

And God SAID, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. v. 6

And God SAID, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear: and IT WAS SO v. 9

And God SAID, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and IT WAS SO. v.11

And God SAID, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. v. 20

And God SAID, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and IT WAS SO. v. 24

And God SAID, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. v. 26

Since God made man in His image, after His likeness, how can we assume that our words don't also hold power? He designed us to speak as He does, so our words do make a difference for good or bad. How can we take our words so lightly when the Bible tells us this? "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." ~Proverbs 18:21

Why is it so easy to misuse our words? Why do the wrong ones just roll off my tongue so effortlessly and the right words take so much energy to surface? Why is it so easy for me to call someone a dummy instead of speaking words of life over them?

"But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." ~James 3:8

In a post I wrote a few weeks back called, Forgiveness is Not Free, I shared about people in my life who have been so incredibly toxic and difficult. They are the kind of people that you want to run as far from as you can. I shared how God nudged me to move in closer to them even though I did not want to. For over 30 years I have heard mostly disapproving, hurt filled and abusive words spoken into my life by these people. However, this past week, much needed words of healing came.

Words of life were spoken over me and healed something deep inside as they were released, "Carolyn, you have been very good to us and I thank you."

My first reaction was shock. I uttered a thank you in return, but my heart felt like stone. I really had trouble letting those words go in. I didn't trust that they were genuine at first. I resisted them. It took hours for me to believe that these words were sincere.

Is this why the Lord encouraged me to press in, to get closer and resist the urge to run from them? He cares for the slightest detail of my life this much and wanted me to experience these life giving words? Really?!? I believe so. Those words healed something inside me and God knew they would.

That moment would never have come if I hadn't surrendered to what God nudged me to do a few years ago. It would have been so easy for me to ignore the nudge....It came so quiet and subtle.

It is never too late to speak words of life and healing into those God has put into your life! Who in your world needs to hear healing words from you spoken into their weary soul and to hear your loving appreciation?

What kinds of words do you speak over yourself? Are they words that bring life or death? Dark, destructive self-talk does not come from God. It comes from your accuser, the liar, and he has no power to hold you there unless you give it to him.

"A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit." ~Proverbs 15:4

And if you are the one hurting from other's words and you are waiting for healing words spoken into your life, but they just don't seem to come, hear this....

You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise: you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you: the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

How precious are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand - when I awake, I am still with you. ~Psalm 139:1-18

Pray with me...

Heavenly Father, Thank you for creating us each unique and beautiful in Your eyes. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. All for Your glory.

Father, tame our tongues! We cry out with the Psalmist, "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:3)

Forgive us when our tongues act like wildfire and burn up everything in sight! Help us to bring healing into our lives and the lives of all those around us with the power of life giving, soul mending words. In Jesus Name, Amen